Reporting abuse, pastoral response hotline

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Created on Thursday, 12 October 2017 08:47

The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City through its programs, organizations and events, has numerous daily contacts with many children and young people. It is, therefore important that all archdiocesan personnel, clergy, seminarians, religious, employees and volunteers, protect the rights of children and be alert to the possibility for child abuse.

Under Oklahoma law, all individuals MUST report an incident or suspicion of sexual abuse of a minor (person under age 18) to civil authorities. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services has established a statewide abuse reporting hotline for reporting: (800) 522-3511. This number is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you feel a child is in immediate danger of harm call 9-1-1.

For the safety of children and the healing of victims, the archdiocese provides an Abuse of Minors Pastoral Response Hotline for reporting the abuse of a minor (in the past or present) by a member of the clergy or other church personnel: (405) 720-9878. The archdiocesan victims assistance coordinator, a licensed professional counselor, will respond to calls to the Archdiocesan Pastoral Response Hotline.

A report to the archdiocese does not relieve the individual of the duty to report child abuse to civil authorities as required by Oklahoma law. In Oklahoma, failure to report child abuse is a misdemeanor punishable by law.